Vermont Smoke & Cure, a Hinesburg-based maker of smoked meats and meat snacks in Vermont since 1962, was granted more than $15,000 in Vermont Training Program (VTP) funding.  Vermont Smoke & Cure’s steady growth (30% annually) pushes toward the need for ten new hires as the company works to plan and create a second shift.

Employee training will include food systems, machine operations, and leadership training.  Being a ready-to-eat meat facility adds additional risk and food safety requirements.  Training will keep employees on top of best practices amidst the company’s rapid expansion.

“The Vermont Training Program has been integral in ensuring Vermont Smoke & Cure delivers top-notch on the job training, resulting in proficiency and promotion eligibility,” said Vermont Smoke & Cure CEO Tara Murphy. “We are also able to use the grant to train our employee-owners on key business metrics and how their role is critical to delivering on not only our production goals, but also our financial targets.”

Ultimately, the grant will allow the manufacturer to build their bench of employee skills internally and enable new operating teams to form and lead the company into the future.

“It is great to see a Vermont company, with such deep roots in the state, work to retain and promote employees through strengthening and retraining their current workforce,” said Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Michael Schirling. “As employers seek more skilled workers, investing in their current employees can help foster growth as the state works to reverse our workforce declines.”